A GOLFER was found dead in a hotel room after falling ill then discharging himself from hospital in Turkey.

Bolton Coroner's Court was told how diabetic Alan Cragg had been on a golfing holiday with pals to Belek in Antalya when he collapsed in his hotel room on May 27.

Mr Cragg, aged 68, was taken to hospital where his blood sugar level was found to be at a dangerously high level.

Police coroner's officer Rebecca Gardener told the court: "Mr Cragg has suffered from diabetes for a number of years.

"He was on a golfing holiday with a large group of people and was due to return on May 28."

The rest of the group returned to Britain as scheduled and later Mr Cragg discharged himself from hospital.

He went back to the Voyage Belek Golf and Spa resort hotel, but was found dead on June 1.

A post-mortem examination failed to find a cause of death and British police are not carrying an investigation, Ms Gardener said.

Rachael Grif?n, assistant coroner for Manchester West, adjourned the case for an pre-inquest review to take place on September 27 and asked for the documentation from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's dialogue with Turkish officials over the incident to be made available.

Friends have paid tribute to Mr Cragg, a retired engineer, who lived alone in Chorley Old Road, Heaton, and leaves a son, a daughter and a sister.

Dennis Holmes, landlord of The Finishers Arms in Church Road, Smithills, said Mr Cragg was a highly-regarded customer and his death has upset those who knew him.

"It was a big shock to us all," he said.

"He was probably here every night.

"He would have his two pints of Wainright and if there was anybody talking about golf he would probably have a third.

"He enjoyed cooking and he used to give our chef some tips on culinary skills.

"He was private and kept himself to himself. He was a great guy.

"We're very much a family here and it's like we have lost one of our family."

Stuart Heaton, secretary of Bolton Old Links Golf Club, said Mr Cragg had been a member for many years.

Mr Heaton said: "He was well respected and an upstanding gentleman.

"After his funeral [on June 22] his wake was held here and it was well attended by friends and members of the Bolton golf community."